ABC Television makes key digital hires

John Solaro and Roger Tsai have joined the Disney-owned company to oversee user experience and innovation, and strategy and operations, respectively.

As part of its strategy for growth in digital programming, Disney-owned ABC Television Group has hired John Solaro and Roger Tsai to oversee user experience and innovation, and strategy and operations, respectively.

Both Solaro (pictured, right) and Tsai (pictured, left) will report into John Frelinghuysen, EVP of digital media, strategy and business development for the media group.

As head of user experience and product innovation for digital media, Solaro is tasked with leading the integration of visual design, interaction design, motion design and innovation across Disney/ABC Television’s portfolio of multi-platform products. He’s expected to play a key role in the incorporation of new non-linear, mobile, direct-to-consumer and cloud products.

Prior to his current role, Solaro was the principal design/UX director for Microsoft’s Xbox Design Studio, directing the design and user experience for Xbox software products, including the Xbox One console and Xbox mobile, tablet and PC. There, he led design teams in areas such as social networks, digital stores, dashboards, live TV, system guides and gamification.

Tsai, meanwhile, assumes the role of VP of digital strategy, business planning and operations for digital media. It’s his job to identify, develop and help execute new digital business strategies. In addition, his team will focus on opportunities for driving audience size, engagement and retention.

He comes to ABC from the media tech company Gracenote where he led the company’s connected car strategy, as well as its personalization efforts. Prior to Gracenote, Tsai worked as a strategy consultant at McKinsey & Company .